Interactive learning system

ABSTRACT

An interactive learning system is disclosed that includes a note-making facility, a mentor facility, and an editor facility as its major subsystems. The note-making facility allows the user to create notes while scanning through an electronic text file that is accessible from a suitable memory space. The mentor facility provides content-specific information in response to the selection of certain passages or quotations from the text file by the user. The editor facility provides generalized learning strategies and recommendations useful in the analysis of text and the preparation of a written report. The information provided by the editor facility is generalized, and hence is not specific to the current text file; in contrast, the mentor facility is content-specific, and furnishes the user with information that is specifically related to the text under review.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuing application of commonly-owned and copending patentapplication Ser. No. 08/529,986, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,446 filed on Sept.19, 1995, and which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to educational tools useful forinstruction in the analysis of written materials and, more particularly,to a learning system that trains a user through interactive dialogue tobetter examine, comprehend, and prepare a synthesis of ideas generatedduring the reading of the written material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CD-ROM technology compresses vast amounts of information onto a singledisk. For example, tens of thousands of pages devoted to materials asdiverse as the collected works of Shakespeare and the technicalspecifications for nuclear reactors can be co-located on a single CD-ROMstructure. By the end of the decade, the fiber-optic telecommunicationsinfrastructure will make even this enormous amount of information oncompact discs seem negligible, as tele-computers in an estimated 40million homes will be linked to mainframe data bases. Thus, there existsunparalleled access to information in our society.

However, information by itself does not impart knowledge. Rather,knowledge requires an active learner who discovers patterns of meaning,understands contexts, is alert to differences, and who can generalize,predict, evaluate and, ultimately, form and defend opinions. Forexample, instant access to every occurrence of the word nature in theworks of Shakespeare serves little purpose if one cannot read King Learand see that a storm on a heath, a disturbance in nature, can mirror theturbulence of a man's soul. Data alone, no matter how vast or quicklyaccessed, is not knowledge; and while data-intensive technologies createunquestioned opportunities for learning, they also present a challenge:How can educators best help students convert data into knowledge whenthe desired skills in critical thinking are apparently in decline andthe amount of information available to individuals it exploding andthereby exacerbating the problems of declining skills? This challenge toeducators is both familiar and new. As always, the task of an educatoris to help students think critically, to reflect, to synthesize, and tocommunicate. But educators now work in an environment where a learner'sinability to convert data to knowledge will increasingly marginalize andoverwhelm that learner.

The computer industry has attempted to develop software platforms thatassemble this information and present it to users in a meaningfulformat. However, software vendors have been satisfied to simply presentgames or raw information. Among the almost 10,000 works available on CDfor computer use, one-third are corporate, in-house databases; one-thirdare library data bases (such as Books in Print) for reference use; andone-third are independently distributed titles comprised mostly ofinteractive games. A small fraction of this last third is devoted toeducational software, and of this even a smaller fraction is dedicatedto college-level materials. Although educators appreciate the potentialof using computer technology as a learning vehicle, there are fewpedagogically sound and sustained strategies for helping adult computerusers, whether at a college or professional level, to think criticallyabout and synthesize the vast amounts of information now available atthe click of a button.

Conventional approaches to learning may be broken down into twocategories: non-interactive and interactive. In a non-interactiveapproach, the fundamental learning tool is reductive (i.e., the user issimply a passive recipient of whatever analysis or data the instructordeems necessary). One example of such a reductive system is thewell-known Cliff Notes series used by students to prepare for exams. InCliff Notes and other such reference materials, the instructor performsthe entire analysis of the text and furnishes the user with theresulting conclusions. Accordingly, the basic feature of these tools isthat all analysis and examination of the text and its underlying themesand ideas are performed entirely by an instructor, who then transformsthe analysis into mere conclusory statements. Clearly, such an approachoffers no formal instruction of the methodology undertaken by theteacher to arrive at the conclusions.

In an interactive approach, the most common instructional formats arequery-based and a question and answer dialogue. Though interactivesystems are more dynamic than non-interactive arrangements (to theextent that a user can pose questions from a predetermined set, insteadof passively receiving all information), interactive systems do notnecessarily promote learning; rather, they simply provide a roteretrieval of answers from a preset library based on the specificinterrogation provided by the user (i.e., the query or question).

In disciplines such as science, mathematics, and economics, theconventional learning systems (either non-interactive or interactive)are adequate to provide the necessary instruction. The adequacy of suchsystems is due to the objective nature of the information and knowledgethat defines these fields. Since the knowledge itself is rational-basedand predicated on facts and physical relationships, learning may beaccomplished through an understanding of theorems, postulates, and otherobjectively-based information that can readily be understood throughquery-based or question-and-answer formulations. However, in the fieldof literary composition, in which the material or subject matter isconsidered entirely subjective and thus open to varying degrees ofinterpretation and analysis, the need for a learning tool that promotesinterrogation and dialogue with the user is most evident. Examples ofsuch fields would include art, philosophy, religion and fiction.Accordingly, a need exists for an interactive learning system thatparticularly supports literary works.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to obviate theabove-noted and other disadvantages of the prior art.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide aninteractive learning apparatus that supports a dynamic analysis oftext-based material.

It is a further object of the present invention to develop a note-makingfacility to create notes that represent annotations of an electronictext being scanned.

It is a further object of the present invention to develop a mentorfacility that provides content-specific information related to aparticular passage of an electronic text that is being scanned forcomprehension.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a mentorfacility that operates as a background process, characterized by anactivation sequence that is unknown to the user as the user proceedsthrough the text.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an editorfacility which may interact with a user who is scanning an electronictext, and which furnishes learning strategies to facilitate thestructuring of essays, the organization of ideas, the composition oftext, the assembling of notes into a format suitable for a reduction towriting, and the synthesis of ideas organized around a selected topic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the invention, an apparatus organizes and files data froman electronic text file. The apparatus includes a scanner forinterruptably and selectively scanning through the text file, and a dataselector for selecting a portion of the text file being scanned by thescanner. A note creator unit responds to user input data and creates anotes file based on the user input data and which corresponds to theselected portion of the text file. A correlator correlates the notesfile with the corresponding selected portion of the text file, whereinthe correlation is represented by an associated text indicator. A filingsystem stores the notes files and the text indicator in accordance withfiling criteria. The apparatus further comprises a data storage unit forstoring the electronic text file.

The scanner includes a storage access unit for accessing the electronictext file stored within the data storage unit. A retrieval unit iscoupled to the storage access unit and selectively retrieves a portionof the electronic text file from the data storage unit. The dataselector preferably includes an interactive facility adapted to receivea user request to make a selection from the text file, for identifyingthe selected portion of the text file in accordance the user request,and for reproducing the selected portion as a text record. Theinteractive facility preferably includes a cursor mechanism, responsiveto user commands and operative to identify text being scanned, forhighlighting the selected portion of the text file.

The note creator unit includes a facility for generating a temporarywork space suitable for the temporary storage of data therein. A datatransfer apparatus transfers the text record into the temporary workspace. An interface unit is adapted to receive the user input data andenter the user input data into the temporary work space.

The filing system includes a file manager that establishes filingcriteria useful in the organization of the notes files, in response touser category requests each indicating the subject matter of anorganizational field. A memory map generates a respective memory areafor each user category request. A data transfer unit selectivelytransfers the notes files and associated text indicator into one of thememory areas according to a selection provided by the user.

In another form of the invention, an apparatus provides informationrelating to a text file. The apparatus includes a scanner forinterruptably and selectively scanning through the text file, and a dataselector for selecting a portion of the text file being scanned by thescanner. A mentor facility is provided to transmit information relatingto the selected portion of the text.

The apparatus further includes a subsystem for identifying targetsections of the text file deemed appropriate for providing informationrelating thereto. An information supply source supplies informationrelating to each of the identified target sections of the text file.Each of the target sections of the text file is then associated with itsrespective related information.

The mentor facility includes a subsystem for determining whether theselected portion of the text file represents one of the target sectionsof the text file. In the event of an affirmative determination, a datatransfer unit transfers the information associated with the particulartarget section of the text file that is represented by the selectedportion of the text file into a viewing space suitable for viewing by auser. The information related to a target section of the text file iscontent-specific to the text within the target section.

The mentor facility is preferably configured with a database including aplurality of knowledge files, each representing a content-specificrecord pertaining to the text within a respective one of the targetsections of the text file. Each knowledge file is correlated with a textdescriptor that is sufficient to identify the respective target sectionof the text file. A comparator compares the selected portion of the textfile with each text descriptor associated with the knowledge files ofthe database. A match determination unit determines which comparisonsatisfies match criteria. An output subsystem provides thecontent-specific record that corresponds to the knowledge filecorrelated with the particular text descriptor which satisfies the matchcriteria.

The scanner and data selector are preferably operated as a foregroundprocess characterized by a known activation sequence generated by theuser. In contrast, the mentor facility is operated as a backgroundprocess characterized by an unknown activation sequence generated by theuser.

In another form of the invention, an apparatus analyzes the text of anelectronic text file. The apparatus includes a scanner for interruptablyand selectively scanning through the text file. An interface unitreceives a user request for information relating to a learning strategy.A learning resource facility responds to this user request and providesinformation on the learning strategy. The subject matter of informationprovided by the learning resource facility includes essay preparation,the translation of reading comprehension into written expressions,recommended modes of critical analysis, assembling notes intoinformative and meaningful categorical groups, and synthesizing ideasdiscerned by the user during scanning of the text file.

In another form of the invention, an interactive learning apparatusanalyzes the text of an electronic text file. The apparatus includes ascanner for interruptably and selectively scanning the text file, and adata selector for selecting a portion of the text file being scanned inaccordance with a user request directed to text selection. A filingsystem receives input data provided by the user that is representativeof user annotations pertaining to the selected portion of the text file.The filing system assemblies the input data into a notes file andcorrelates the notes file to the selected portion of the text file. Thecorrelation is indicated by a correlation indicator. A data organizerorganizes the notes file and the correlation indicator in accordancewith predetermined organizing criteria. A mentor facility is providedthat defines a mentorship function which facilitates an understanding ofthe content of the text file. The mentor facility determines whether theselected portion of the text file is encompassed by the scope ofmentorship provided by the mentor facility, and generates informationrelating to the content of the selected portion of the text file upon anaffirmative determination. An advisor subsystem responds to a userrequest directed to learning strategies and provides information usefulin synthesizing and analyzing text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an interactive learning systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a note-making facility according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a system illustrating the construction ofa mentor resource library according to another aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a mentor facility according to the presentinvention using the mentor resource library of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are, respectively, a generalized and further detailedblock diagram of an editor facility in accordance with another aspect ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 5A-F depict a series of computer screen displays to illustrate theoperation of the interactive learning system according to the presentinvention.

Throughout the drawings the same or similar components, subsystems, orelements are identified by the same reference numeral.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In its most general form, the present invention is directed to aninteractive learning system that includes a note-making facility, amentor facility, and an editor facility as its major subsystems. A useris able to activate any of the interactive learning facilities whilescanning through an electronic text file that is stored in a suitablememory space. The note-making facility allows the user to create noteswhile advancing through the text file. These notes are comparable toannotations, and accompany certain passages designated by the user. Thementor facility provides content-specific information in response to theselection of certain passages or quotations from the text file by theuser. The editor facility provides generalized learning strategies andrecommendations useful in the analysis of text and the preparation of awritten report. The information provided by the editor facility isgeneralized, and hence is not specific to the current text file; incontrast, the mentor facility is content-specific, and furnishes theuser with information that is specifically related to the text underreview.

As used herein, “core text” relates generally to an information or dataset. Preferably, core text refers to documentation or other text-basedsource materials (e.g., literary works). For the system describedherein, the core text is preferably converted into an electronic formatsuitable for electronic processing, scanning, and othercomputer-assisted functions. The core text is preferably maintained in asuitable storage medium, which is readily accessible by any of thesubsystems of the present invention. A read only memory (ROM) is apreferred storage medium because it prevents corruption of the coretext. Additionally, the core text may be stored on an optical disc or amagnetic memory. In applications involving the transmission of core textfrom a remote site in order to implement distance learning, the coretext may be carried over a network system or satellite link. Distancelearning is made necessary, for example, when a central academicfacility provides resource and other educational materials to satellitecampuses.

The learning system executes three principle modes of operation: a textmode, workspace mode, and archive mode. A text mode is used when thereader desires to advance sequentially through the electronic text file.The text mode is analogous to a user reading a book and, as describedbelow, permits the contemporaneous preparation of notes that serve asannotations to the text. In a workspace mode, the reader synthesizesideas and assembles notes created by the note-making facility aspreparation, for example, in drafting an essay or report. The workspacemode is analogous to the activities undertaken by a reader afterfinishing a book. For example, the reader may synthesize ideas and notescreated during the reading of the book, and prepare an outline suitablefor drafting an essay or book report. In an archive mode, the reader ispermitted access to a vast resource of supplemental information relatingto the core text. The archive mode is analogous to the retrieval ofsupplemental resource materials to complement the reading activity. Inparticular, the archive mode offers additional information and relevantbackground information to improve upon an understanding of the text,including, for example, the author's context for writing such a work andthe efforts of critics to examine the work. A general feature of theseoperational modes is that each mode is instantly accessible from anyother mode currently activated.

Referring to FIG. 1, an interactive learning system is shown in blockdiagram format. The system includes a storage facility 10 for storing atext file known as core text. A user interacts with the core text usinga scanner 12, which is adapted to receive the core text from storagefacility 10 and generate an image suitable for viewing on an appropriatedisplay monitor. In particular, scanner 12 accesses the storage facilityand retrieves sequential segments of the core text file. The output ofscanner 12 is provided as a “page” of the core text. As the user readsthe text on a screen, for example, and requests the next page, theaccess means will advance the reader to the next sequential portion ofthe core text. In response to a user request indicating a segment of thetext file being viewed on the screen, a text selector 14 captures thissegment of the core text for further processing. For example, a cursormechanism may be used to highlight a portion of the text being scanned.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a note creationfacility is provided including data assembler 16, correlator 18, andfile manager 20. Data assembler 16 is responsive to input data forgenerating a notes file at an output port that represents a compilationof the input data. Correlator 18 correlates the notes file provided bydata assembler 16 with the selected portion of the text file. Thiscorrelation is represented by a correlation indicator provided at theoutput of correlator 18. File manager 20 is operative to transfer thenotes file and associated correlation indicator into a suitable memoryspace in accordance with organizing criteria provided by the user.

The organizing criteria used by file manager 20 represents a series ofsubject matter areas that the user assigns to a file storage space wherethe notes are stored. This function is especially important in literaryworks where a significant number of themes or ideas are identifiedwithin the entire literary work piece. To facilitate the synthesis ofideas after reading such a literary piece, it is important to definesome type of organizing structure that permits a reader to place notescreated during the reading of material into appropriately labeledsubject matter groups, wherein all of the items within an organizationalgroup relate to the same subject matter. Consequently, a reader needonly refer to the organizational groups after reading a literary workpiece in order to identify the relationship of the notes to the variousideas of the text. File manager 20 stores the correlation indicator andassociated notes file into the appropriate memory space corresponding tothe specific organizing criteria for that notes file.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an editorfacility is provided to instruct the reader on various modes ofanalyzing text, synthesizing ideas, and producing a work product basedon the notes and other materials prepared by the reader during thecourse of scanning (i.e., reading) the core text. Referring again toFIG. 1, a learning resource library 22 responds to a user request for anedit function, and provides a learning strategy which instructs the useron the requested edit function.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a mentorfacility is provided to furnish content specific information on certainselected paragraphs, clauses or other sections of the core text.Referring to FIG. 1, the mentor facility includes a mentor resourcelibrary 24, a comparator 26, and an information generator 28. The mentorresource library 24 includes a plurality of records each comprisingcontent specific information specifically relating to a correspondingpassage of text within the core text. The mentor resource library 24further includes a text indicator mechanism in each record thatindicates the portion of text from the electronic text file that iscommented upon by the mentor facility. In a preferred mode, the mentorfacility operates as a background process in which the user cannotknowingly or intentionally invoke the mentor facility. In other words,the mentor facility is in a sense “invisible”, whereby the user cannotknow when the mentor will provide content specific information for thetext that is selected by the user. In this manner, the user is preventedfrom deliberately referring to the mentor to gain insight intocritically analyzing or interpreting a certain passage.

In order to determine when the selected portion of the text file isrepresented within the mentor resource library 24, a comparator 26compares the selected portion of the text file against the entire arrayof text indicators in mentor resource library 24. If one of thecomparisons satisfies a match criteria, information generator 28 accessthe mentor resource library 24 and retrieves the content specificinformation corresponding to the particular text indicator that isassociated with the positive match.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram is shown which further details theelements of the note creation facility according to the presentinvention. Storage facility 10, scanner 12, and text selector 14 are thesame elements as those shown in FIG. 1 and thus function in an identicalmanner. As noted above, a portion of the core text is selected inaccordance with a user request provided as an input to text selector 14.This selected portion of the text file is transferred into temporarymemory space 30. The user interface 32 is responsive to input datarepresentative of commentary that a user desires to attach as anannotation to the selected portion of the text file. The output of userinterface 32 is a notes file that is also transferred into temporarymemory space 30. Correlator 18 is identical to the like numbered elementin FIG. 1, and therefore generates a text indicator that is indicativeof the portion of the core text that is associated with the notes file.The filing system for placing the notes file and text indicator intomemory is constructed from memory organizer 34 and data transfer unit36.

Memory organizer 34 is responsive to filing criteria for generating amemory map that functions to reserve areas of memory each representativeof a particular filing or organizational attribute. The filing criteria,for example, may correspond to the various plots or subplots that existwithin the literary work. If the core text includes a data setrepresentative of information relating to a manufacturing process, forexample, the filing criteria may correspond to various actions thatshould be undertaken by a worker who is responsible for interpreting thedata set and responding accordingly.

Thus, by way of memory organizer 34, the available memory space isdivided into memory areas each designed to receive the particular notesfiles that are related by a common organizational or filing criteria.The memory map generated by memory organizer 34 is provided to datatransfer unit 36 along with a user filing request that indicates theparticular organizational or filing criteria under which the user wishesto file the notes file. In response to this memory map and the userfiling request, data transfer unit 36 transfers the notes file and thetext indicator into the appropriate memory area.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a block diagram is shown of the subsystems used bythe mentor facility to generate content specific information and toassociate such information with specified passages or paragraphs of textwithin the electronic text file. Address table 40 includes the memoryaddress of all passages from the electronic text file for which thementor facility desires to provide content specific information. As usedherein, “target section” refers to a section, segment, phrase, passage,or other portion of the electronic text file that is associated withcontent specific information provided by the mentor facility.Accordingly, the address list provided by address table 40 identifiesthe target sections of the text file.

Library facility 42 includes all of the content specific informationthat the mentor facility wishes to provide to the user in connectionwith the current text file. A memory mapping unit 44 serves to link eachtarget section (as represented by its respective memory address) withits corresponding content specific information. The output of memorymapping unit 44 is an array of memory records each including anidentification of one of the target sections of the text file inconjunction with its associated content specific information.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a block diagram is shown of a mentor facility inaccordance with another aspect of the present invention, in whichelements shown in FIG. 3A are represented by database 50. Database 50includes a plurality of knowledge files each including content specificinformation and a text descriptor that indicates to which target section(i.e., passage of core text) the content specific information isrelated. Comparator 26 compares the selected portion of the text filewith the entire array of text descriptors included within the knowledgefiles. This comparison is made to identify which knowledge file, if any,corresponds to the currently selected portion of the text file. The filecomparisons provided by comparator 26 are forwarded to a matchdetermination unit 52.

The match determination unit 52 reviews all of the file comparisonsagainst established match criteria to identify which text descriptorsatisfies the criteria. The particular text descriptor that satisfiesthe match criteria is then used as a pointer to its respective knowledgefile. In particular, database access and retrieval unit 54 receives thetext descriptor satisfying the match criteria and accesses database 50,retrieving the knowledge file corresponding to this text descriptor.Consequently, the output of unit 54 is an arrangement of contentspecific information which relates to the selected portion of the textfile.

The mentor facility described above is configured to operate in a latentmode wherein the specific availability and accessibility of the mentorfunction is concealed from the attention of the reader, but becomesactivated under the proper operational circumstances. For example, asthe reader advances (i.e., scans) through the core text, the notecreation facility described in connection with FIG. 2 is preferablyinvoked when the reader highlights a particular passage in order tocompose an accompanying note. If this selected passage overlaps with atext portion identified by the mentor facility as being linked withcontent-specific information, the mentor facility leaves its latent modeand enters a disclosure mode characterized by the appearance of thementor as a full-motion image on the screen display, accompanied by aviewing box including the content-specific commentary relating to theselected passage and a series of questions for stimulating thought andanalysis of the passage. In addition to the disclosure mode, the mentorfacility may operate in an overview mode, a context mode, and an archivecomplement mode.

At the beginning of a chapter, or at any other meaningful division pointwithin the core text, the reader may engage the overview mode of thementor facility by marking a mentor silhouette appearing on the screenadjacent the chapter heading, which causes the mentor to becomeexpressed as a full-motion video image having an audio component. Afterthe mentor delivers an overview of the upcoming chapter, the mentorimage disappears and only the mentor silhouette icon remains on thescreen, marking a temporary suspension of the overview mode until thenext chapter is reached. A summary of the overview and any relatedquestions posed by the mentor are assembled within a residue box that isdisplayed on the screen and may be saved for future retrieval. Thementor assists the reader in analyzing the core text but does not renderany reductive interpretations.

It is assumed that the reader will encounter a number of particularlyconfusing passages while advancing through the core text file.Accordingly, the mentor facility includes a context mode activatable ateach of these challenging passages and designed to display the mentorwhen the reader reaches any one of these passages. In particular, thementor will appear as a silhouette icon adjacent to the passage; byactivating the icon, a full-motion video image of the mentor willappear, followed by the mentor image audibly communicating a list ofrecommended background resource materials that the reader can accessfrom the archive facility in order to provide a contextual overview thatfacilitates an understanding of the relevant passage. Finally, if thearchive facility is activated by the reader, the same full-motion videoand audio image of the mentor will appear to discuss and explainarchival materials compiled by the mentor which support the core text.The archival material may include, for example, a video clip with acontemporaneous discussion by the mentor and video sequences whichdepict various adaptations of the underlying work, i.e., a musical,ballet, film, screenplay, and other interpretative performances based onthe work.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a block diagram is shown of an editor facility inaccordance with another aspect of the present invention. The editorfacility includes a user interface 60 and a learning resource facility22 identical to the learning resource library 22 of FIG. 1. Userinterface 60 is adapted to receive user input data that indicates arequest for information on a particular learning strategy. This inputdata is formatted into a query command provided at an output of userinterface 60. The learning resource facility 22 responds to the querycommand and provides a learning strategy directed to the requested editoperation.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a further detailed block diagram is shown of theeditor facility of FIG. 4A. The editor facility includes a database 62including a plurality of editor files each representative of a learningstrategy consistent with a specified editor function, and identified bya descriptor element. Menu generator 64 assembles the editor filedescriptors into a menu suitable for viewing by the user. A menu itemselector 66 is responsive to user input data representative of arequested edit function for selecting one of the items from the menu ofdescriptors. The selected descriptor, which corresponds to one of theeditor files in database 62, is forwarded to database access andretrieval unit 68. This unit 68 accesses database 62 and retrieves theeditor file corresponding to the selected descriptor. Unit 68 providesthe particular editor file requested by the user at an output port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an archivefacility is provided that may be accessed in one of four principal ways.As described above, the archive facility provides supplementalinformation, resource materials, and other documentation thatcomplements the reader's comprehension and understanding of the coretext. As one means for accessing the archive facility, a search engineis provided based on key words indexed to the type and character (i.e.,subject matter) of supplemental information desired from the archivefacility. Additionally, a time line may be provided with iconscorresponding to various media elements. For example, if the core textcorresponds to a literary piece adapted from a musical, the appropriatemedia element for instructing the reader might be a musical score or achoreography based on the core text. Furthermore, the archive facilityis provided with an interactive search engine, wherein the mentorengages in dialogue with the reader to dynamically navigate alongvarious pathways through the archive materials to acquire anunderstanding, for example, of the history of the core text, theauthor's life, or key patterns in the core text. Finally, the archivefacility may be accessed through an author study which is supervised bya mentor. For example, the author study may include a biography of theauthor, a discussion on the author's writing of the core text, adiscussion of contemporary critical reaction, or a preview of theauthor's study. Preferably, the mentor will appear in an interactivemode within a portrait photo on the screen to discuss the availablearchival materials identified by the archival research. The archivematerial may be compiled, for example, based on consultations with filmarchivists, art historians, music historians, and historians of popularculture. Preferably, at the end of every chapter is a list ofselectively displayable archival items.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the learningsystem described above can be configured in a multi-media environmentcharacterized by the presentation of information and dialogue usingvarious media elements. For example, when the mentor facility isinvoked, the user may interact with the instructor (i.e., the mentor whodeveloped the content-specific commentary) through a real-time or tapedvideo transmission that appears within an image box on the screendisplay. Additionally, the archive facility may provide art works, filmand audio clips, orchestral pieces, and animations through theappropriate media, provided that the hardware platform employed by theuser is configured with the appropriate audio-visual interface tosupport these information formats.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, theinteractive learning system may be utilized with a library of on-linetextbook materials stored in a CD-ROM structure. The materials willrepresent a series of individual electronic core text files eachcorresponding to a literary work appropriate for the current readingaudience. As an enhancement to this multi-media application, each of thesubsystems that promote strategies for learning (i.e., mentor, editor,note-making, and archive facilities) may be structured in amulti-layered configuration in which each layer represents anindependent operating process corresponding to a particular pedagogicallevel ranging from novice to expert instruction. This multi-layeredapproach allows the interactive learning system to tailor its learningstrategies to the particular reader based on the difficulty of theselected core text and the level of education and experience of thereader. Therefore, the same core text can engage and challengebeginning, intermediate, and advanced students in pedagogicallydifferent but appropriate ways. The learning system would be configuredwith an apparatus for prompting the student to select the appropriatepedagogical layer and then activating the selected operational layer.

Although the embodiments described herein utilize literary materials asthe core text, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art thatother information or data sources may serve as the core text inaccordance with the present invention. These additional sources are notlimited to textual writings, but may consist, in part or in whole, ofnumerical or other technical data. For example, the mentor facilityaccording to the present invention may be adapted to process a data setcomprising information generated by manufacturing equipment located inan industrial plant, in which the information may be representative ofthe operating efficiency of a particular machine. In order that suchdata types can be processed by the interactive system of the presentinvention, a model of instructional thinking is necessary that performspattern recognition to interpret the raw data and identify meaningfulpatterns developing within the data. This instructional model would beembodied within the mentor facility of the present invention.

The development of an appropriate mentor facility that is tailored tothe current core text is generally based upon the premise that a certainidentifiable logic structure exists to objectively analyze the situationor physical activity that produces the information defining the coretext. In professional fields where experts are used to analyze andinterpret data, the instructional model for the mentor facility isconstructed by resolving the intuitive methodology of the relevantexpert into its constituent analytical processes each representative ofa distinct logic system. The mentor model is formulated from theintegration of these individual logic systems. The intuitive process ofthe expert, in particular, represents the analytical frameworkundertaken by the expert to systematically review information pertinentto the field of expertise. Once the instructional model is developed andincorporated into the mentor facility, the mentor is capable ofsupplying a content-specific analysis relevant to the current data set.This content-specific analysis may be performed and then stored inmemory prior to execution of the interactive learning system, or may becarried out in real-time as the user is advancing through the core text.Additionally, the learning strategies provided by the editor facilityare tailored to the information being processed and analyzed by theoperator using the interactive learning system described herein.

The functions described above and the underlying structures aregenerally implementable as software processes executed on a programmedgeneral purpose computer. Accordingly, the specific hardwareconfiguration should not serve as a limitation of the present invention,as it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that any computingfacility may be used to implement the present invention. One resultantadvantage is that the present invention may be portable among a varietyof hardware platforms.

FIGS. 5A-F depict photocopied reproductions of a series ofrepresentative computer-generated screen displays that sequentiallyappear on a viewing terminal during the execution of a computerimplementation of the interactive learning system of the presentinvention. As discussed below, the screen displays generally illustratethe functionality of and interaction with the interactive learningsystem, and may depict such features as the core text currently beingscanned, the functions available to the user (e.g., invoke editor ornote-making facility), the current mode of operation (i.e., text,workspace, or archive), and responses (if any) provided by the mentor(i.e., content-specific information relevant to highlighted text).

Referring to FIG. 5A, the screen display illustrates the text mode anddepicts a representative section of the text. As described above, thetext mode supports the following principal activities: documentscanning, note-making, category construction (to organize the filing ofnotes), the juxtaposition of notes within categories, and interactionwith the archive, mentor and editor facilities.

The screen display includes a mentor icon 60 to signify the beginning ofa chapter and the availability of the overview mode of the mentorfacility. As shown, mentor icon 60 takes the form of a silhouette of thementor. In order to invoke the overview mode, the reader marks thementor icon 60 (e.g., by clicking the icon with the screen cursor). Thementor will appear as a full-motion video image 62 having an audiocapability. The mentor will speak and provide an overview of theupcoming chapter and pose questions designed to stimulate criticalthinking pertinent to this chapter. An editor icon 64 also appears onthe screen and may be similarly marked using the cursor to invoke theeditor facility. The editor icon 64 likewise takes the form of asilhouetted individual (i.e., the editor). By invoking the editorfacility, a menu overlay (not shown) will appear to furnish generalizedstrategies for reading, and identifying patterns, connections, and otherrelationships within the core text. A cursor pattern 68 indicates thecurrently available scanning directions through the core text, i.e., thereader may move up or down within the currently displayed text, advanceto the next page of the core text, or return to the previous page.

The screen display is provided with four panel elements 66 each having adescriptive label and designed to activate a respective function orfacility. The “Home” key activates a home space that reveals an image ofthe author's study, which may include materials used by the author inpreparing the core text. By using the cursor, the reader may view anenhanced image of certain selected items within the author's study.These materials would preferably be made available by the archivefacility. The “Workspace” key activates the workspace mode; the“Archive” mode activates the archive facility; and the “Search” keyallows the reader to search through the core text using a variety ofsearch indices including, inter alia, page number, keywords, or entirephrases or blocks of text.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the screen display illustrates an output sequencefrom the mentor facility after the mentor of FIG. 5A has finished theintroductory discussion of the upcoming chapter. A residue box 70 isused to summarize the major points of the mentor discussion and toreproduce the questions posed by the mentor. The information within thisresidue box 70 may be saved for subsequent retrieval.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the screen display illustrates the note-makingfacility. Upon the selection of a particular passage of text (i.e., byusing the highlight function), a note box 72 appears as an overlay tothe core text and includes the selected text (i.e., the paragraphbeginning with “As I . . . ”). The reader can then insert commentaryinto the note box 72, which is represented by the sentence following thecore text quotation. The quotation and reader commentary togetherconstitute a note. The reader can then save the note as a free note(i.e., without assigning it to a particular category) or can save it inan assigned category (e.g., “Lightning”) that currently exists or isgenerated by inserting the desired category name into the indicatedcategory box. When a note is assigned to a category, this action iscomparable to placing the note into an established file folder.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the screen display illustrates the workspace modewhich supports the following principal activities: displaying, managing,and examining the notes records; forging connections and establishingrelationships among the notes; and formulating a claim based on thenotes, core text quotations, and other available material. Essentially,the workspace mode provides a workspace area 74 that functions as a deskarea where the reader can assemble the notes created during the readingof the core text, and then access basic word processing functions (viaactivation of the editor facility) to draft extended versions of thenotes or formulate an essay.

The screen display depicts the assembled collection of potentiallyrelatable notes (illustrated by FIG. 5C) that were compiled using thenote-creation facility, wherein each note is identified with the pagenumber of the core text file where the relevant quotation can be found.The uppermost line of the screen display provides the indicated list ofuser-defined filing categories (i.e., “Lightning”, “LR Questions”,“Parallels . . .”, “Technology” and “Creation”) The writing function isinvocable in conjunction with the editor facility (discussed below).

Referring to FIG. 5E, the screen display illustrates the informationgenerated by the editor facility when the writing key is engaged duringthe workspace mode. The editor facility provides a menu 76 of items thatinstruct the reader on basic word processing capabilities (e.g., copyingnotes) and the mechanics involved in the preparation and development ofa report. The recommendations provided by the editor facility arelogically presented to the reader using an animation sequence 78.

Referring to FIG. 5F, the screen display illustrates the development ofan essay within a writing space 80. Based upon the assembled notesrelated to the indicated category (i.e., “Lightning”), the studentattempts to formulate a claim that purports to give meaning to theunderlying quotations. Within the writing space 80, the student caninsert the appropriate portions of the notes or quotations (using a“cut-and-paste” operation) and then draft the claim, which isrepresented by the ending sentence.

Therefore, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for organizing and filing data froman electronic text file, said apparatus comprising: scanner means forinterruptably and selectively scanning through said text file; selectionmeans, coupled to said scanner means, for selecting a portion of thetext file being scanned by said scanner means; note creation means,responsive to user input data, for creating a notes file based on saiduser input data and corresponding to the selected portion of said textfile; correlation means for correlating said notes file with saidcorresponding selected portion of said text file, said correlation beingrepresented by an associated text indicator; and filing means forstoring said notes files and said text indicator in accordance withfiling criteria.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: data storage means for storing said electronic text file. 3.The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said data storage meansincludes a read only memory (ROM).
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim3, wherein said ROM is a magnetic storage medium.
 5. The apparatus asrecited in claim 3, wherein said ROM is an optical storage medium. 6.The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said scanner meanscomprises: access means for accessing said electronic text file storedwithin said data storage means; and retrieval means, coupled to saidaccess means, for selectively retrieving a portion of said electronictext file from said data storage means.
 7. The apparatus as recited inclaim 6, further comprising: display means for displaying the portion ofsaid electronic text file retrieved by said retrieval means.
 8. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said selection means comprises:interactive means, adapted to receive a user request to make a selectionfrom said text file, for identifying the selected portion of said textfile in accordance with said user request and reproducing said selectedportion as a text record.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8,wherein said interactive means comprises: cursor means, responsive touser commands and operative to identify text being scanned, forhighlighting the selected portion of said text file.
 10. The apparatusas recited in claim 8, wherein said note creation means comprises: meansfor generating a temporary work space suitable for the temporary storageof data therein; transfer means for placing said text record into saidtemporary work space; and interface means, adapted to receive said userinput data, for entering said user input data into said temporary workspace.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said correlationmeans comprises: text indication means for generating a file pointerindicative of the selected portion of said text file corresponding tosaid notes file; and association means for associating said file pointerwith said notes file.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, whereinsaid text indication means comprises: address means for identifying anelectronic address of the selected portion of said text file.
 13. Theapparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said association meanscomprises: means for electronically linking said electronic address tosaid notes file.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein saidfiling means comprises: a file manager system including: means,responsive to user category requests each indicating the subject matterof an organizational field, for establishing filing criteria useful inthe organization of said notes files; means, responsive to each usercategory request, for generating a respective memory area identified bysaid user category request; and transfer means for selectivelytransferring said notes files and said associated text indicator intoone of said memory areas according to a selection provided by the user.15. An interactive learning apparatus for analyzing the text of anelectronic text file, said apparatus comprising: scanner means forinterruptably and selectively scanning said text file; selection means,coupled to said scanner means, for selecting a portion of the text filebeing scanned in accordance with a user request directed to textselection; filing means, coupled to said selection means, for receivinginput data provided by said user that is representative of userannotations pertaining to the selected portion of said text file,assembling said input data into a notes file, and correlating said notesfile to the selected portion of said text file, said correlation beingindicated by a correlation indicator; and organization means, coupled tosaid filing means, for organizing said notes file and said correlationindicator in accordance with organizing criteria.
 16. The apparatus asrecited in claim 15, further comprising: archive means for providingarchival information in accordance with a user request directed toarchive material.
 17. Electronic note making and filing apparatus,comprising: (A) means for selecting only a portion of an electronic textfile and for reproducing the portion as a text record; (B) means forcreating a notes file corresponding to the text record and forannotating the notes file with user-defined commentary; (C) memorydivided into storage areas, each of the areas being constructed andarranged for receiving notes files related by a common organizationalcriterion provided by the user; (D) means for filing the notes file inone of the storage areas; and (E) means for displaying a plurality ofnotes files that are filed within at least one of the storage areas. 18.Electronic note making and filing apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the means for selecting comprises (i) a scanner adapted toreceive the text file and to display an image suitable for viewing on adisplay monitor, (ii) a text selector for selecting the portion of thetext file, the portion being designated by the user.
 19. Electronic notemaking and filing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the textselector comprises a cursor mechanism.
 20. Electronic note making andfiling apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a userinterface for accepting user inputs representative of the commentarythat the user desires to attach as an annotation to the selected portionof the text file.
 21. Electronic note making and filing apparatusaccording to claim 17, further comprising means for organizing thememory such that each storage area is representative of an electronicfile folder identified by an assigned category.